The team discusses how different countries are handling the rise of cryptocurrency, Apple's questionable app ratings and rumours that Windows might soon be available on a much wider range of ARM hardware. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Røde Wireless Go II, a compact wireless microphone system.
The team discusses Apple’s huge U-turn on repairability, the gradual winding-down of Windows 10 and IBM’s latest breakthrough in quantum computing. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the 16in Apple MacBook Pro, showcasing the new M1 Max processor.
The team discusses Microsoft’s new Windows 11 SE platform, a graphene-based battery breakthrough and an unexpected climbdown on repairability from Apple. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Logitech MK295 Silent Keyboard, an affordable keyboard that won’t wake the neighbours.
The team discusses Mark Zuckerberg’s plans for the Metaverse, a new addition to Microsoft Office and the backlash against software subscriptions. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Pixel 6 Pro, Google’s newest and best own-brand phone. Links featured in this episode: Washington Post: How Facebook’s “metaverse” became a political strategy in Washington: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/09/24/facebook-washington-strategy-metaverse/ Microsoft Loop Promo Video: https://www.microsoft.com...
The team discusses the latest accusations against Facebook, a cyber-attack on UK VoIP providers, new features in the latest Adobe applications and Intel's newest, fastest CPUs. Our Hot Hardware candidate is Apple's AirPods 3. Links: Apple's now-vanished notch documentation: https://web.archive.org/web/20211026105727/https://developer.apple.com/documentation/bundleresources/information_property_list/nsprefersdisplaysafeareacompatibilitymode Barry Collins' hands-on test of Photoshop's new seasonal...
The team discusses Apple’s new MacBook Pro models – and the chips that power them – along with Google’s latest Pixel phones, and a probe into online music streaming services. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Astropad Luna Display, a tiny USB adaptor that turns your iPad into a secondary display for a Windows or Mac computer.
The team discusses Microsoft’s new right-to-repair commitments, the latest research into mobile app snooping, warnings over new internet regulations and the latest Wi-Fi upgrade. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Logitech MX Keys Mini, a high-end compact keyboard. Links featured in this episode: The Daily Show on Right To Repair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgK8x5MrShw Study: “Android Mobile OS Snooping by Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and Realme Handsets”: https://www.scss.tcd.ie/Doug.Leith/Andro...
The team discusses a huge outage of Facebook services, Sky’s new smart TV offerings and revelations from our exclusive chat with Windows manager Aaron Woodman. Our Hot Hardware candidate is Apple’s latest iPhone – is 13 the company’s lucky number? Featured links: WSJ - 'Facebook Files': https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-facebook-files-11631713039 Zuckerberg Response: https://www.facebook.com/zuck/posts/10113961365418581 Intel's Apple video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp0xzapm-zY...
As the official launch of Windows 11 draws near, the team takes an in-depth look at the new OS, discussing interface changes, security enhancements, gaming features and more.
The team discusses Microsoft’s latest Surface devices, new features in iOS 15, the push to standardise phone chargers and the passing of British computing innovator Sir Clive Sinclair. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Samsung Z Flip3, a quirky folding smartphone.
The team discusses Apple’s latest phone, watch and tablet releases, while Microsoft goes passwordless and a new academic institution seeks to reboot social media. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Ray-Ban Stories Wayfarer sunglasses, a pair of stylish shades that can capture photos and video footage.
The team discusses adverts in Windows 11, AI-based photo upscaling, El Salvador’s Bitcoin fiasco and question marks over WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption. As a Hot Hardware special, we take a trip back to 2016 and revisit the first-generation Amazon Echo. A demo and explanation of the SR3 upscaling system: https://iterative-refinement.github.io/
The team discusses the impending arrival of Windows 11, Apple’s partial climbdown over App Store fees and accusations of deceptive marketing in the SSD world. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, the manufacturer’s first Google-powered wearable.
The team discusses a new data-protection shake-up in the UK, the latest hurdle in Nvidia’s acquisition of Arm, vulnerabilities in a wide range of routers using Realtek chipsets and the inexorable rise of semiconductor prices. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, a folding phone that could actually catch on. Here’s a list of routers afflicted by the Realtek vulnerabilities: https://therecord.media/hundreds-of-thousands-of-realtek-based-devices-under-attack-from-iot-botnet/...
The team discusses the revelations in Facebook’s first ever “Widely Viewed Content Report”, a phishing attack that uses Morse code to slip past security scanners, a new lease of life for legacy landlines and Google’s mysterious new Tensor chip. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the ORIA Bluetooth transmitter, a low-cost gadget that could transform your in-car entertainment.
The team discusses new folding phones from Samsung, Apple’s controversial photo-scanning technology, the cost of outdated IT and Google’s threat to cut the pay of homeworkers. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Huawei MateView, a 28in monitor with an unusual 3:2 aspect ratio.
If the rumours are right, Amazon won’t be delivering our parcels by drone any time soon - but the team isn’t too worried about this failure, it turns out. Plus, will any of our panel buy the Surface Duo phone now that it’s halved in price? Can a robot run a 5K faster than Lee? And will our hot “hardware” of the week, Microsoft’s all-new Windows 365 Cloud PC, get the thumbs up from Jon Honeyball and the live listeners? There’s only one way to find out.
Dell can no longer sell its most high-end PCs in California due to their power demands - is this a harbinger of what’s to come? Plus, Jon Honeyball shares his views on the astonishing profits lodged by big tech companies such as Apple and Barry falls in love with Flight Simulator on the Xbox - before trying to persuade everyone that the Amazon Echo Show 8 is Hot Hardware of the Week.
The team discusses a major new vulnerability in Windows, the emerging Pegasus spyware scandal, the shutting down of an app that flags fake Amazon reviews and Netflix’s proposed move into gaming. Out Hot Hardware candidate is the Apple MagSafe battery pack.
The team discusses Microsoft’s new Windows Cloud service, the growing problem of leaked phone numbers, the uneven distribution of music streaming payments and the UK’s largest ever seizure of cryptocurrency. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the MuteMe, a physical button for muting yourself on VoIP and video calls.
Heather Burns of the Open Rights Group joins the podcast to explain how proposed legislation would outlaw all encrypted communications in the UK. The team also discusses the latest developments in Windows 11, TikTok’s increasing encroachment into the real world and some colourful new labels about to appear in supermarkets. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Eero 6, Amazon’s easy-to-use Wi-Fi 6 mesh system.
The team discusses a disastrous attack on WD NAS drives, the end of the Google-Microsoft détente, second impressions of Windows 11 and the return of roaming charges. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Shure MV7 podcast microphone. (Well, WE think it’s interesting.)
In a special edition of the podcast, the team discusses the official unveiling of Windows 11. Is this a bold new computing platform for the post-pandemic age, or is Microsoft just hoping to drum up excitement with a new lick of paint? We give our impressions and predictions.
The team discusses a first look at Windows 11, Apple’s plans to do away with passwords, the opening of Google’s first high-street shop and a legal victory on the “right to repair”. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6, a slim and stylish convertible laptop with an exceptional screen and a rare turn of speed.
The team discusses the latest announcements from Apple’s WWDC event, questions the trustworthiness of “authorised” repair shops, marvels at a technical error that took down some of the biggest sites on the web, and laments a legal precedent that could see individuals in the US lose their internet connections for merely being accused of copyright infringement. Our Hot Software candidate is Vivaldi 4, a new release of the privacy-focused browser that comes with a suite of additional desktop tools....
The team discusses the fightback against pushy cookie requesters, state-sponsored malware attacks, the arrival of Huawei’s new HarmonyOS and Norton’s unexpected move into cryptomining. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the F77 Model F, a customisable, retro-styled keyboard that could be yours for just £250.
The team discusses the latest news from Microsoft’s Build conference, a cautionary tale about Wi-Fi passwords, the effective demise of Samsung’s “upcycling” programme and a controversial change to YouTube’s terms of service. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, Amazon’s latest, smartest doorbell. The Samsung upcycling video: https://youtu.be/oLsr6i_atAA
The team discusses the big announcements from Google’s I/O event, Apple’s malware problem, Amazon’s new Sidewalk network and the rise of lossless music streaming. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4.
The team discusses the government’s plans for cleaning up the internet, the rumoured shelving of Windows 10X, a new report into the right to repair and Elon Musk’s latest shenanigans. Our Hot Hardware candidate is Netgear’s Orbi LBR20 4G router, a Wi-Fi solution for locations without a reliable fixed internet connection. Matthew Lesh’s Twitter commentary on the Online Safety Bill: http://pcpro.link/pod542a The FTC report on repairability: http://pcpro.link/pod542b...
The team discusses the continuing spat between Apple and Epic, English football’s social media boycott and a new low-cost broadband package designed for people receiving universal credit. Our Hot Hardware candidate is Apple’s AirTags, little discs that can be used to track and locate (more or less) anything.
